The aim of the marketplace was to meet the needs and the interests of civil and business organisations in municipality of Pleven and to encourage and facilitate an effective cooperation between the two sectors taking into account the interests and the needs of both sectors.

Georgi Titukov, Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv Municipality greeted the participants and the guests and gave a symbolic start of the marketplace by ringing the gong especially provided by Plovdiv Philharmonic orchestra.

The event lasted for about an hour during which time tens of representatives of business and civil organisations from the town and the region were „looking for” и „offering” various opportunities for cooperation, discussing exchange of goods, materials, services and voluntary work. There was only one rule on the marketplace – money are taboo.

Maria Petkova, Director of Tulip Foundation – one of the organizers of the marketplace and the conferencier Ekaterina Kostova announced the results – 45 signed agreements for a total of 30 500 BGN.

Everyone wins at the marketplace. “Knowledge and realization” company realized the biggest number of agreements on the side of the business. People’s Chitalishte “Svetlina 1929” realized the highest number of agreements among the civil organisations.

Some of the interesting agreements reached at the marketplace in Plovdiv include: 

- “Knowledge and realization” company and “Mothers against drugs” Association agreed to cooperate in projects ai8med at professional training for former drug users; 
- „Tena 92” firm will sew ties for the members of the National Scout organisation, which on their turn will include children of the employees of the firm in the children’s summer scout camps; 
- „Himplast Duo” provides office equipment for “Lend a helping hand” Association to support the integration of children with special educational needs. The association will deliver psychological consultations to the company. 
- “Zaprianov” company Asenovgrad provides 50 square meters pavement for the creation of a summer open air reading space in front of “Svetlina” community club in Trud village= In return the community club provided English language lessons for the employees of the company. 

The marketplace was organised entirely on a voluntary basis with the active participation of many people and organisations – local authorities, profit and non-for-profit organisations, media etc. Most of the participants were involved with practical support like information, labour, materials. All civil organisations that were present at the marketplace went through a cycle of trainings for effective and mutual beneficiary cooperation with the business. Ambassadors of the market place were attracted from the business sector that believed in the idea and supported it by disseminating information and invitations among colleagues and partners. 

The support of Municipality of Plovdiv, Sport and Youth Policies Directorate and Interamerican Insurance Company branch Plovdiv was very important.

The Marketplace is planned to take place each year.

The Marketplace in Plovdiv was realized in the frame of a project implemented with the financial support of the Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe.

Artical in Capital newspaper. (in Bulgarian language)